Device for measuring openings.



No. 748,094 Q PATE'NTBD DEG.29,1903.

H. c. PARKER.

DEVICE FOR MEASURING OPENINGS;

APPLICATION IiLED 111,201 1902.

UNITED STATES Patented December 29, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT C. PARKER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIPO- LITOSCREEN AND SASH COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A

CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

DEVICE FOR MEASURING OPENINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 748,094, dated December29, 19 3- Application filed March 20, 1902. Serial No. 99.174. (Nomodel.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT O. PARKER, a

citizen of the'United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county ofLos Angeles and 5 State of California, have invented a new and usefulDevice for Measuring Openings, of

which the following is a specification.

An object of this invention is to provide convenient means for measuringwindow and I0 door openings for the purpose of fitting screens, sashes,85c.

This invention is applicable for taking other measurements, but isespecially adapted for measuring spaces between two bodies.

An object of the invention is to provide a small device which may becarried in the pocket and which may be employed toaccurately and readilymeasure the distance between two surfaces.

An object of the invention is to adapt the same for accurately measuringthe distance between two straight parallel surfaces, such as the casing0r jams of window-openings, and to so construct the device that itserves 2 5 this purpose in the most convenient and ready manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a superior constructionfor an automatic tape control, which may be applied at slight o expenseinside the'tape-holding case and will prevent the tape take-up fromtaking up the tape except when the controlling device is released.

Theaccompanying drawings illustrate the 5 invention.

Figure I is a perspective view of a device embodying this invention, themembers being drawn apart to expose the locking-arm and a portion of themeasuring-tape. Fig. II

40 is a longitudinal mid-section of the same. Fig. III is a sectionalview on line III III, Fig. II. Fig. 1V is a longitudinal mid-section ofanother form of the invention. Fig. V is an elevation of the device inuse for measuring angles between the stop and sill of a window.

Fig. VI is a fragmental sectional detail illustrating the joint of thetry-bevel. Fig. VII is a plan of the device on a smaller scale, the tapebeing drawn out to show that the numbers are applied thereonconsecutively to designate the length in a regular succession of smallunits of measurement.

The device comprises two members a and b,

a measuring-tape c,which connects said members and is made fast to onemember, being controlled by a take-up device 01 in the other member, andwhich tape is marked with a numbered scale e, the numbersfon which arearranged with reference to the tape-holding member a, which is providedwith a take-up 6o device to exhibit at said tape-holding memher thenumber of the scale which designates the space between the external endsg h of said members, respectively. The members ab are desirablyrectangular and are consite ends g h in contact with parallel straightsurfaces the tape may in great precision be put into exact position formeasuring between said parallel faces. 7

The numbers f and the markings of the scale are to be read at the innerend 2' of the member a, which carries the take-up device. The ends 9 t'and the edgesj It of one memher are arranged in a rectangle, and theends h m and edges 11 o of the other member are likewise in a rectangle,so that when drawn apart and the ends g and h are brought firmly againstparallel faces the tape 0 will extend to indicate the exact distancebetween said faces. Said external ends 9 and h are preferably eachprovided with a fiat surface, so that the device may be quickly extendedagainst the sides of the opening to be measured without the impactbruising plaster- 9o ing or marring the finish of Woodwork. In order toprovide for accurately and readily determining the space measured andfor holding the measurement until the same can be noted, the member a,which is furnished 5 with the take-up device (1, is furnished with acatch 19 to normally engage and stop the tape to hold the same relativeto the member a against extension or retraction. Said catch is formed asa rigid member the arms of which embrace the tape together with aportion of the tape-holding member. This sort of catch, it will be seen,has no relatively mo v ing parts liable to get out of place or wear byfrictional contact with each other. q designates a spring to actuatesaid catchp to press the tape 0 against a portion 7' of the member a,thus to frictionally hold the tape relative to the member a againstmovement in or out. The object of frictionally holding the tape withrelation to the member which has the take-up device is to secure perfectaccuracy in measuring the opening.

.9 designates a thumb-piece or manuallyaccessible portion connected withthe catch 10 and extending into an opening 1, in the member a, to beoperated by the thumb or finger of the hand which may be holding themember a, whereby when it is desired to release the tape the same may bereadily done. u designates a locking-arm extending from the member I)and provided with a catch '0 to be engaged bya locking member to, whichis movably mounted in the member a, and is actuated by resilient means,which may be the spring q, to engage the catch 1; when the arm n isinserted in a socket 00, provided in the member a to receive the same.

y designates a thumb-piece connected with the locking member to andextending in an opening 2 in the member ato be manipulated for releasingthe arm 7.0., The tape 0 is arranged near one edge of the members, andthe locking-arm and socket therefor are near the other edge of saidmember, so that when the members are brought together the locking-arm'when locked and the tape held by the take-up and catch hold the twomembers solidly as a single piece to be used in measuring anglesas, forinstance, that between the window sill and stop.

designates an arm pivoted by a rivet 51 to the member if and heldfrictionally tight in said member to constitute with the members a and bwhen the same are locked together a try-bevel with which to measure theangle between two adjacent surfaces-such, for instance, as the stop 52and the sill 53 of a window.

In practical use to measure the distance between two sides of an openingor between any other points the operator will grasp the members a b inthe two hands, respectively, and by pressure of the two thumb-pieces s ywill simultaneously release the tape 0 and the locking-arm w and willthen move the members apart and Will bring them against the points orthe surfaces the distance be tween which is to be measured. If saidsurfaces are parallel to each other, the external ends 9 and It will befirmly placed against said parallel surfaces and then the thumbpiecewill be released,thus allowing the spring q to actuate the catch 19 topress the tape 0 against the portion 7' which forms one side of placedin the pocket.

a tapeway through the member a, thereby fixing the tape with relation tothe member a, whereupon the distance measured may be noted. When this isdone, the thumb-pieces s and y will again be pressed in, thus releasingthe tape and allowing it to be drawn in by d and also allowing thelocking-arm u, to enter the socket 0c, whereupon the thumbpieces .9 andy will be released and the device will be a smooth-sided body ready tobe To use the device as a try-bevel, the arm 50 will be drawn out bymeans of the thumb or finger nail or any instrument inserted in thenotch 54 in the member b for that purpose. I

The take-up device d may be of any suitable character.

55 designates a spiral spring around the pivot 51 and pressing on thearm 50 to hold the same friction-tight, so that it may be used.

The device may be variously constructed without departing from theprinciple of this invention.

In the form shown in Fig. IV a part a on the member a fits into a socketacin the member 17' and is held by a latch w, having a thumb-piece y,the construction being somewhat different from that shown in Figs. IIand III, but serving a like purpose, without the use of the tenon n(shown in Figs. I and II,) which fits in a socket 0c in the part a tohold the members from twisting uponeach other when locked together.

In Fig. VII, and 61 designate two bodies the space between which isbeing measured.

In both constructions when the device is not in use there are noexternal latches liable to catch in the lining of the pocket, andthereby tear the pocket or become accidentally unfastened. The internallocking devices, which have been described, although manuallyaccessible, are normally substantially concealed.

I do not limit the device to the use of the particular form of take-upshown, in which the spring take-up ordinarily used in tapemeasures isshown, this being at present regarded as the most desirable.

Having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States 1. A device for measuring openingscomprising two rectangular members and a measuring-tape which connectssaid members which are constructed with corresponding faces to fittogether to form a unitary rectangular body and extends between saidfaces and is controlled by a take-up device in one of said members andwhich tape is marked with a numbered scale the numbers on which arearranged with reference to the member which is provided with the take-updevice, to exhibit at suchlast-named member, the number of the scalewhich designates the length of the space between the external ends ofthe members when the same are drawn apart.

2. A device formeasuring openings comprising two rectangular members anda measuring tape which connects said members which are constructed withcorresponding faces to fit together to form a unitary rectan gular bodyand extends between said faces and is controlled by a take-up device inone of the members and which is marked with a numbered scale the numberson which are arranged with reference to the member which is providedwith said take-up device, to exhibit at such last-named member, thenumber of the scale which designates the length of the space between theexternal ends of the members; said take-up device for controlling saidtape; and a catch for stopping the tape.

3. In a device for measuring openings, the combination of tworectangular members which are constructed with corresponding faces tofit together to form a unitary rectangular body; a manually-releasablecatch within said body adapted to lock the members together; ameasuring-tape which connects said members and, is furnished with "ascale; a take-up device in one of said members for controlling saidtape; and a catch for stop, ping said tape with relation to the memberwhich has the take-up device.

4. The combination of two rectangular members which are constructed withcorre-.

sponding faces to fit together to form a unitary rectangular body; a manually-releasable catch within said body adapted to lock the memberstogether; a measuringtape which connects said members and extendsbetween said faces and is furnished with a scale; a take-up device inone of said members for controlling the measuring device; aspringactuated catch for stopping said tape with relation to the memberwhich has the takeup device.

5. The combination of two rectangular members-which are constructed withcorresponding faces to fit together to form a unitary rectangular body;a tape which connects said members and extends between said faces and isfurnished .with a scale; a take-up device in one of said members forcontrolling the tape; a catch to stop the tape; and internal means forlocking said members together.

6. A device for measuring openings comprising two members; a tapeconnecting said members and arranged atone edge thereof; a take-up inone of said members for controlling said tape; a catch for stopping saidtape,

means at the other edge of the members for locking the members togetherand an arm pivoted to one of said members and arranged in connectionwith said members to form a device for measuring the angle between twosurfaces.

7. In a measuring device, in combination, a tape, a member to which oneend of said tape is attached, atape-holding member, a take-up device insaid tape-holding member, a concealed latch whereby said members may befastened togetherinto a smooth-sided body,

and a numbered scale on the tape adapted to indicate the distancebetween the external ends of the members when the same are drawn apart.

8. The combination of two members one ofwhio'h is furnished with asocket and the other with a part to enter said socket; a tape connectingsaid members; a take-up in one of said members for controlling the tape;a catch for stopping the tape; a catch for looking said part in saidsocket; and resilient means for holding said catches in catchingposition.

9. The combination of a member; atape extending from said member; atake-upfor controlling said tape; a catch for stopping said tape;another member to which the tape is connected; a latch for locking themembers together, and a spring between said catch and latch for holdingthem in operating position.

10. In a measuring device, in combination, a member provided with atapeway, atape extending through said way, a take-up device in saidmember, a device having a man ually-accessible portion at one side ofthe tape and a part in fixed relation to said portion and projectinginto the tapeway on the other side of the tape said device being movabletransversely to said tapeway, and a spring normally holding the tapefriction-tight against a side of the tapeway by pressing said partagainst the tape.

11'. In a measuring device, in combination, a tapeholding member, a tapeadapted to play therethrongh, a take-up device in said member, a rigidmember having inner and outer arms embracing the tape together with aportion of the tape-holding member, and a spring normally pressing theinner arm against the tape, said rigid member being movable inwardlyagainst the pressure of the spring to release the tape.

12. In a measuring device, in combination, a tape, a member to which oneend of said tape is made fast, a tape-holding member, a take-up devicein the tape-holding member, and a numbered scale on the tape, said scalenumbered to indicate the distance between the external ends of themembers when the same are drawn apart.

13. In a measuring device, in combination, a tape, a member to which oneend of said tape is made fast, a tape-holding member, a take-up devicein the tape-holding member, and a numbered scale on the tape, said scalenumbered to indicate the distance between the external ends of themembers when the same are drawn apart, said external ends eachrespectively provided with a flat surface adapted to abut against awall.

14. In a measuring device, in combination, a tape, a tape-holding memberprovided with a take up device, a member to which the outer end of thetape is attached, a catch at one side of the tape-holding member andnormally engaging the tape, and a latch opposite said catch and at theother side of the tapetwo subscribing witnesses, at Los Angeles, holdingmember adapted to lock the two California, this l3thday of March, 1902.

members together, said catches operating toward and from each other andboth manu- HERBERT PARKER 5 ally accessible. Witnesses:

In testimony whereof I have signed my JAMES R. TOWNSEND, name to thisspecification, in the presence of H. H. KEBOKHOFF.

